Clippers vs Thunder Playoffs Gm. #5 Game Thread 2014-05-13

Clippers-Thunder PreviewPosted May 12 2014 8:05PM
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Kevin Durant says the Clippers are hanging all over him.
Russell Westbrook says they are flopping.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers believes the Thunder made a dirty play against Blake Griffin in Game 4.
Indeed, Game 5 of a Western Conference semifinal series that already has included 15 individual technical fouls ought to be interesting.
Oklahoma City appeared ready to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series on Sunday, but instead the Thunder squandered a 16-point lead in the final 10 minutes of a 101-99 loss that evened things up at 2-2. Control will be at....

Wow Durant sounds like such a douche with those comments. He seems so full of himself.

ClippersDA

05/12/2014 - 08:52 PM PST

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Durant and Westbrook are really entitled and unlikable. Lebron has become likable. Durant is a twerp.

cleepers

05/12/2014 - 08:58 PM PST

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We're in their heads now

WinningBasket

05/12/2014 - 09:06 PM PST

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Durant sounds like a sore loser. His unsportsmanlike behavior after this major loss reveals how self-entitled he feels. He can't even bring himself to say anything good about the Clippers. And his sidekick Westbrook has to say something underhanded about the Clips to mitigate his missing that wide open and crucial three. Own up to is, Russ. You screwed up big.

In contrast, our players have always been very classy when it comes to other teams they've played. From what I've seen and heard, they give credit where credit is due and vow to do better next game if they lost. I've never heard a Clipper disparage another team the way OKC players have done.

I hope the Clips win the next two games and get rid of OKC once and for all. Tired of their crap.

HyperFuse

05/12/2014 - 09:54 PM PST

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best of 3 lets do this, OKC are expected to win

ClippersDA

05/12/2014 - 10:00 PM PST

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I just feel like our two wins were sort of flukey and there's were solid. Plus they have home court. All our role players going ice cold isn't helping. Collison has shot 11 percent from deep in playoffs. Matt "0/6"

Barnes and jj "can't throw it in the ocean" redick are killing us. Supremely un-clutch

JQuick32

05/12/2014 - 10:01 PM PST

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Can we PLEASE actually make threes from now on?

ClipTakeover

05/12/2014 - 10:03 PM PST

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I bet Durant lied to his momma whenever he called her the real MVP.

lobcityhawaii

05/12/2014 - 10:35 PM PST

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Great post! Agree with everything you said. I don't get how OKC can be sore losers when they already get some much help from the refs.

Bingo3

05/12/2014 - 10:38 PM PST

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That's my concern as well. It took a CP career night and us to claw and scratch our way from a 16 point deficit to get the wins. Hopefully other players can step up, but this series is most likely going to seven games.

lobcityhawaii

05/12/2014 - 10:41 PM PST

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Very true. Those players are due for great shooting games. The law of averages should take place. They aren't that junk at 3 pt shooting. We really have to outplay OKC because 8 vs 5 is tough for anyone.

cleepers

05/12/2014 - 10:48 PM PST

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Flukey is CP3 going 8/9 from deep, but flukey is also us missing so many open jumpers that we shoot 15% from deep... and we still found a way to win.

Two blowouts, two close games, series tied 2-2. It evens out.

The pressure's back on them. THEY were the favorites.

Clipperfn4lf

05/12/2014 - 10:50 PM PST

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Game ball goes to the Rally Towels.

ClippersDA

05/12/2014 - 11:32 PM PST

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Seriously though, have we taken anything away from the thunder Offense? I will miss clipper basketball so much, not ready for ride to end

gman

05/12/2014 - 11:41 PM PST

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The only thing that troubles me is the fact that they have gone public about 'flopping'. Last time that happened BG was in foul trouble and we lost game 1 of first round (there was another game we prob lost after other comments). Guys have to keep their cool.

ClippersDA

05/12/2014 - 11:43 PM PST

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IbakA isn't being defended well. The rest if their roster blows.

gman

05/13/2014 - 12:36 AM PST

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Ibaka is a great mid range shooter. Doc learned the lesson and doubles are not coming from him.

The others do what they are suppose to do, get free and wait for a pass, lucky for us, KD and RW decided to shoot at all cost in yesterdays game (but Jamal had some great blocks on would be wide open threes).

slestack11

05/13/2014 - 01:42 AM PST

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The Clippers played game 4 like it was a must win. I hope they see game 5 as a must win too. To championship teams, every playoff game is a must win.

toohipcliptoslip

05/13/2014 - 02:38 AM PST

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We never got blown out. The refs gave them one game and as the old timers know I usually fart in the general direction of those who do. How many times have champions with the heart of champions complain like that. We are in their heads. As far as CP3's bingos, maybe they weren't that well defended AND he was hot. A lot of this is coach vs coach as we've seen with Popovich. There is a reason JJ hasn't done well. He's been defended well. Yes he's missed bunnies BUT. Ibaka will not pull anything like he did or he will get suspended. There is only one guy who could have shut down Durant, maybe two. #13 and #6 and maybe Rodman.

We were losing on the boards. We have to rebound. Maybe Danny will get his excrement together by having a lot of playing time. Just don't foul.

Play as physical and dirty as we can get away with. No layups, foul hard. Can Durant take a Big Baby shot?

Punish Durant as much as possible

If Danny can a least post up start him. Is Durant going to stop him? Maybe he'll require a double PLEASE DANNY MAKE THE PACERS EAT INDIANA COW PIES. If he can require extra attention who will guard JJ., BG or CP. A screen roll with him could cause problems if can get to the rack or post up.

Play like Champions like we did. THIS IS THE KEY. tHEY DON'T

Get Toohip a double margarita. Six games is not unthinkable

WE WILL WIN AND BREAK THEIR HEARTS

HyperFuse

05/13/2014 - 03:28 AM PST

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TL:DR for the above post: Smash Durant

cleepers

05/13/2014 - 04:05 AM PST

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Too long; didn't read?

Seriously, dude?

His post was 200 words, at most. Best stay away from those things they call "books", mate... you might get hurt.

Since you're in such a hurry, here's a new acronym I created just for your post...

TS:DC - Too shallow; don't care... although I probably lost you after the first 140 characters.

#TwitNation

Fun fact: The average 3rd-grader reads at 150 words per minute. The average college student reads at 450 words per minute.

dunc182

05/13/2014 - 05:04 AM PST

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Sorry, but did we watch the same Game 1? I've never seen the Clippers run such a fluid and confident offense as they did that game. Sure CP3 was in the zone and hitting a ridiculous amount of threes, but that is not what won us the game. We outplayed them with TEAM basketball, that is our greatest strength, and we will do so again. I've never been prouder to be a Clipper fan than I was watching that game.

pageC4

05/13/2014 - 08:07 AM PST

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We are looking solid. I looked at the playoff bracket, and we are the only lower seeded team in the 2nd round that is 2-2. Brooklyn is 1-3, Washington is 1-3, and Portland is 1-3. Also, yeah you're right we had great ball movement that game. What gives me hope is that everyone has been shooting poorly in this series. I hope Redick wakes up from that shooting slump tonight.

pageC4

05/13/2014 - 08:10 AM PST

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There's a silver linning to this. We have been able to maintain the series at 2-2 despite many of our guys going cold. This won't happen all series long, and I think tonight we should see those averages go up.

dom1

05/13/2014 - 09:04 AM PST

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I think we should through a different look at them tonight and start Granger at the 3. Even tho he hasn't played well yet he also hasn't played big mins to get in a rhythm either. He can't be any worse offensively or defensively than matt barnes at this point and honestly nobody is gonna stop durant completely but i do believe Granger plays him the best on our team. Just my thoughts. And who knows with added playing time Granger might get hot. I mean that is why we brought him here right?

My keys to a win tonight: 1. Matt Barnes needs to score more than 10 points. 2. JJ needs to score more than 10 points. 3. Collison needs to drive inside more 4. Jamal to be deadly and lead the bench 5. CP3 to score more than 20. 6. Play game 7 defense 7. Granger needs to play more. 8. BG wears a cup with spikes on it. Clippers close it out in 6 at home.

ClipperRevival

05/13/2014 - 11:03 AM PST

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I can't believe of all the people, Durant complains about a lack of calls. Unbelievable. I hope the refs aren't influenced by his comments and are even more favorable in his favor. That would make me sick to my stomach.

JQuick32

05/13/2014 - 11:07 AM PST

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NBA calling in the big guns - Bennett Salvatore's rigging, I mean, reffing this game. Looks like whining about the officiating to the media pays off.

ClipperRevival

05/13/2014 - 11:09 AM PST

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I don't buy into this notion that we are in their heads and we have momentum. To be honest, the Thunder should be up 3-1. They have been the better team from game 2 to the near end of game 4. When Durant and Westbrook play at their best, they have shown that they are a bit better than us. I'm just hoping the Westbrook we see is the one who makes mistakes and takes dumb shots instead of the guy we have seen most of this series, which is a dominant player.

A couple of our role players have to have big games for us to have a chance. Crawford, Redick, Collison, or Barnes. Two of those guys have to have big games. We have to be physical and rebound and bang with them.

wessleejr

05/13/2014 - 11:24 AM PST

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It doesn't matter how bad we played, what matters is we won, It doesn't matter if they lead until 15 seconds left and we won, If the clock still ticking the game is not yet over, so OKC can lead same as they did in game 4 but we will win again. Never say game over.

CapsNClips

05/13/2014 - 11:29 AM PST

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Let's Go Clippers!

I want to see DJ fight for everything like it's his last game ever. Blake and Chris just need to keep doing their thang. Our role players need to hit open shots, it's as simple as that.

Let's get the road win...again.

bebe

05/13/2014 - 11:30 AM PST

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OKC is over confident, this is dangerous for them, good for us because they have no clue how the Clips are going to play. Clips can smell blood and are on the hunt. Almost at the end of the trail. Stay hungry. Clips win in 7.

The Nevada Fans

clipnasty

05/13/2014 - 11:34 AM PST

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I got a good feeling about tonight. I think our role players will come through and hit the shots they have missed the last few games. I do not expect a game like Game 1, but as long as we move the ball and get open shots we have a great chance.

And WOW, DURANT complaining about the refs? Ab-f*****-surd.

ClipperPostman

05/13/2014 - 11:35 AM PST

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Everyone outside of bg, cp3, and one qtr of doc has played like dogshit and we are still 2-2. If jj gets back to scoring 15 in a half and dc putting up his normal numbers these are easy wins.

Jj gets hot this game easy win

sz123456

05/13/2014 - 11:45 AM PST

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I don't understand the argument of "flukey".

I mean if KD and Westbrook had the stomach flu and couldn't play, I'd call that victory "flukey" maybe.

But don't give the Thunder too much credit, like their some perfect team. As impressive as some of their wins are, they got annihilated on their home court, what does that say about them? They couldn't protect a 16 point 4th quarter lead with 9 minutes to go, what does that say about them?

You can't dismiss their bad points.

ClipperRevival

05/13/2014 - 11:54 AM PST

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I agree. I never take game 1's too seriously because you can catch a team off guard. I think we did that against OKC in game 1. And we all know about game 4. We had to have the comeback of epic proportions to squeeze it out. At their best, OKC is a better team. We really have no answer for Durant or Westbrook when they are right. They were pretty much the better team from game 2 all the way till the end of game 4. That's a big sample size.

But at this point, just hope for the best. I think we can win this series but OKC has to be a bit off for us to beat them cause like I said, I think at their best, they are a slightly better team than us.

sz123456

05/13/2014 - 11:59 AM PST

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I disagree. A win is a win and a loss is a loss. Part of the game is being prepared, the Thunder weren't in Game 1. Part of the game is protecting big leads and being clutch under pressure, the Thunder didn't do that at all in Game 4.

They have flaws, we have ours. At this moment we are 100% even, 2-2. If we take the series, people can call us "lucky" all they want, just like people call the Heat "lucky", doesn't matter, they won.

ClipperRevival

05/13/2014 - 12:05 PM PST

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The Thunder looked like the better team for almost 3 straight games. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn't catch them. Only a comeback of epic proportions tied us the series. But in almost any other scenario, we should be down 3-1 and rightfully so. I completely see what you're saying though. We created our own luck and fought back. But what were we doing in game 2 and 3 and the first 3 quarters of game 4? We were being beaten by the better team. When Durant and Westbrook play the game the right way (which they have been), they are better than us.

Having said that, I think we have a great shot at winning the series. If a couple of our role players get hot, we could do it.

backinblue

05/13/2014 - 12:05 PM PST

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What will our defensive game plan be against Durant? CP3 going to continue to harass him? Then come with the double team. Was Game 4 the first time that Doc employed this defensive strategy? I think it really threw OKC for a curve ball, something they were not expecting. Hope our guys play hungry tonight!!

fullcourt

05/13/2014 - 12:06 PM PST

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To win this game Doc has got to be quick to sit JJ or barnes if it is not clicking. You cannot waste the first 9 minutes of the 1st and 3rd quarters every game hoping JJ,Barnes or even DJ will come to life. SUB EARLY ...you can go back to them but spotting OKC leads is what has hurt us more than anything else

CapsNClips

05/13/2014 - 12:07 PM PST

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I hope LeBron scoring 49 made KD mad and I hope he tries playing hero ball tonight.

ClipperRevival

05/13/2014 - 12:09 PM PST

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I would think CP3 will spend some time guarding Durant given the success in game 4 but only in stretches. He can't exert that much energy running the offense and guarding their best player the entire game. That's asking too much.

I think we might see a lot of hard doubles thrown at Durant and West to try to force turnovers like we did late game 4 and force everyone else to beat them. We haven't really been throwing hard doubles this series.

sz123456

05/13/2014 - 12:17 PM PST

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Couldn't catch them? Not only did we catch them, we passed them.

Give credit where credit is due. They have good points and bad points, as do we. How good is a team that can't protect a 16 point lead with 9 minutes to go?

The game is not 39 minutes long. It's 48 minutes long. Over 48 minutes, we were the better team. Over 192 minutes (4 games), we are even.

ClipperRevival

05/13/2014 - 12:25 PM PST

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I wasn't talking only about game 4. I was talking about the stretch from game 2, 3 and the first 3 quarters of game 4. That's a pretty big sample size where OKC was clearly the better team. When a team outplays you for that long, that is saying something. Only an epic comeback allowed us to tie the series. Again, I see your point but still, I would rather win by leading all the way through a game rather than having to rely on a crazy comeback to win a game.

It's a 3 game series now. Let's go Clips.

sz123456

05/13/2014 - 12:41 PM PST

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I wasn't talking only about game 4. I was talking about the stretch from game 2, 3 and the first 3 quarters of game 4. That's a pretty big sample size where OKC was clearly the better team. When a team outplays you for that long, that is saying something. Only an epic comeback allowed us to tie the series. Again, I see your point but still, I would rather win by leading all the way through a game rather than having to rely on a crazy comeback to win a game.
It's a 3 game series now. Let's go Clips.....

Did you even watch the games or are you just talking out of your ass? Explain to me how the thunder looked like the better team game 3 when we were up going into the fourth qtr by 5? They won on a comeback victory in the 4th and it was a dogfight the whole game. It looked like an evenly matched team.

Last game okc jumped out to a 22 pt first qtr, but after that we played them well and made multiple comeback runs, but just didn't get over the hump until the 4th qtr. if they looked like the better team all last game ppl need theirs eyes checked. It looked like we had a horrible 1st qtr and they had an extremely hot 1st qtr. middle 2 quarters pretty even. Then we had an incredible 4th qtr and they had a horrible 4th. Which means things evened out.

Again the series is 2-2 because 2 great teams are battling it out.

cleepers

05/13/2014 - 12:55 PM PST

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You're confusing them having a lead with them being the better team. After 9 minutes, they were up by 22... after that, they never matched that lead. Both teams had their runs... Clips cut the lead to 4, Thunder extended it back out to 16, but after those opening 9 minutes we at least played them even until the last 9 minutes - the really important minutes - when we blew them away.